TWO individuals arrested during a security operation at the Abuja home of former Minister of State for Petroleum, Timipre Sylva, are still being held in custody, more than a week after their detention.
Operatives raided Sylva’s residence on Saturday, October 25, 2025, and arrested his younger brother, Paga—who also serves as his Special Assistant on Domestic Affairs—alongside his driver.
Sylva, a former governor of Bayelsa State and a leading figure in the All Progressives Congress (APC), was reportedly abroad at the time of the incident.
Sources familiar with the matter revealed that Sylva cancelled his planned return to Nigeria after learning that several individuals had been arrested in connection with an alleged coup plot.
His media aide, Julius Bokoru, earlier confirmed the raid but dismissed any claims linking Sylva to a coup attempt.
He also condemned the damage done to the ex-minister’s property during the operation, describing it as politically motivated.
When contacted on Sunday, Bokoru told The PUNCH that both the minister’s brother and driver were still in custody.
“Not that I know of,” he said when asked if they had been released. “As of last night (Saturday), they were still detained. I would have known if they had been freed.”
He added that legal representatives were already handling the matter.
The Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, had earlier stated on October 4 that 16 military officers were detained over breaches of military conduct and indiscipline.
However, reports by SaharaReporters claimed that the detainees, ranging from Captain to Brigadier-General, were arrested by the Defence Intelligence Agency for allegedly plotting to overthrow the government.
Meanwhile, leaders in the Niger Delta have warned against what they describe as a smear campaign against the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr. Samuel Ogbuku—a former aide to Sylva.
Following an emergency meeting in Port Harcourt, members of the Critical Ex-agitators Stakeholders Coalition urged regional leaders to unite behind Ogbuku and reject attempts to destabilise the NDDC’s management.
Speaking after the meeting, the coalition’s spokesperson, Nature Kieghe, called for an end to internal divisions, saying, “A house divided against itself cannot stand.”
He lauded Ogbuku’s leadership for introducing a needs-based approach to project implementation and highlighted initiatives such as the Light Up Niger Delta project, which has improved security and local economies across the region.
Kieghe noted that under Ogbuku’s administration, contractors are being paid promptly, and hundreds of projects—including roads, bridges, energy systems, and community infrastructure—have been completed.
He also commended the revival of the NDDC’s scholarship programme and youth empowerment schemes.
He urged Niger Delta leaders to resist external influences aiming to sow discord and thanked President Bola Tinubu for his continued support of Ogbuku’s leadership.
“Dr. Ogbuku has transformed the NDDC’s image and operations,” Kieghe said. “This is the time for unity and encouragement, not distraction.”